Five years into her new life, Eveline found herself in a completely different environment from the grand hall where she had spent so much time. The Aderlan Academy of Magic and Swordsmanship, one of the most prestigious in the kingdom, was now her temporary home. This place was known for training great strategists, warriors, and magicians. Eveline had chosen to come here not only to improve her skills but also to seek answers about her own power.
The academy was an imposing complex, with tall towers, well-maintained gardens, and vast training fields. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with students from all parts of the kingdom, each seeking their own path to power and wisdom. Eveline had already made a name for herself at the academy. Her intelligence and skills with both the sword and magic had earned her respect among her peers and the attention of many instructors.
That morning, she was in the vast training arena, where students practiced fencing. The sound of swords clashing echoed in the air, while the trainers closely watched the duels. Eveline was about to face one of the academy's top fencers, Vernon, an ambitious young man who did not hide his desire to stand out among others. He was known for his aggression in combat and his almost arrogant confidence in his abilities.
Eveline, however, remained calm, observing the battlefield with calculating eyes. Dressed in her training uniform, a light armor that allowed for quick movements, she held her sword with a dexterity honed from years of practice.
"Ready to lose, Eveline?" Vernon smiled, his sword gleaming in the sunlight as he assumed an attacking stance.
She met his gaze with a firm look. "You talk too much, Vernon. Let's see if your skill matches your mouth."
The two took their positions, and the signal for the duel was given. Vernon attacked first, advancing with speed, his sword slicing through the air in a powerful strike. Eveline easily sidestepped, moving agilely to the side, and countered with a precise blow. Vernon blocked, but there was surprise in his eyes. He knew Eveline was skilled, but he had underestimated her speed.
The duel continued with a series of rapid exchanges. The spectators around watched in silence, fascinated by the precision of both. Eveline kept her focus, anticipating Vernon's moves, while he tried to press her with relentless attacks.
After several minutes of intense combat, Vernon attempted a risky move, charging with full force. Eveline saw the opening in his defense and, in a fluid motion, disarmed him with a single spin of her sword. Vernon's blade clattered to the ground, and he took a step back, panting.
"I... lost?" Vernon looked incredulously at the fallen sword.
Eveline lowered her own blade and stepped forward. "You rely too much on strength and forget technique. Control and precision win the battle, not aggression."
Vernon, still surprised, nodded, visibly impressed. The duel was over, and Eveline once again demonstrated why she was one of the academy's most promising students.
After the match, while she was putting away her sword, Eveline was approached by Alaric, one of the academy's masters and professor of advanced magic. He was a tall man, with gray hair and a sharp gaze, always wrapped in his long, dark cloak. His presence often intimidated students, but Eveline respected him for his wisdom and the way he always challenged her.
"Excellent match, Eveline. But your skill with the sword is far from your only talent, isn't it?" Alaric said, his deep voice cutting through the silence.
Eveline smiled slightly. "I'm aware of that, Master Alaric. Fencing gives me discipline, but my true power lies in magic."
Alaric nodded, his penetrating eyes seeming to examine more than just the surface. "You've advanced significantly in your magical abilities, but there's still much to explore. The power within you is ancient, Eveline, and complex. There are layers you haven't touched yet, and that concerns me."
She was silent for a moment, reflecting on his words. Over the past years, she had felt her magic growing, a connection to her past that she still didn't fully understand. The confrontation with that shadow, five years ago, had awakened something in her, something she had yet to fully master.
"I know there's still much to learn," Eveline replied. "But what exactly concerns you, Master?"
Alaric observed her for a moment before responding. "The magic you wield is not common in this world. It comes from somewhere else, perhaps from another life. There's an imbalance that could be dangerous if not controlled. That's why I want you to join my advanced lineage magic study group."
Eveline raised an eyebrow. "Lineage magic?"
"Yes. We will study the origins of your magic and how it connects to the flow of power in this world. This will be crucial for you to understand what you truly carry within you."
She nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Accepting this offer was an important step in discovering more about her magic and what it meant for her future.
"I accept," she said, determined. "I want to understand what I am, what this power means."
Alaric smiled slightly. "Then prepare yourself. Starting tomorrow, we will begin the training. It will be unlike anything you've seen before."
Eveline nodded once more, feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension. She knew she was on the right path, but she also understood that this path would lead her to face secrets and challenges far beyond what she had encountered so far.
In the back of her mind, the memory of her past life as Suzume still lingered, and she knew that, in some way, the answers to her future were deeply connected to what she had once been. Now, more than ever, Eveline was ready to unravel the mysteries of her own soul.